Jig for Article of Footwear

ABSTRACT

A jig for an article of footwear includes a base plate and a footwear support assembly supported by the base plate. The support assembly includes an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction, a toe last assembly extending from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and including a toe last, and a first engaging member pivotally connected at first end thereof to the base plate.

FIELD

Aspects of this invention relate generally to a jig for an article of footwear, and, in particular, to a jig configured to stretch an upper of an article of footwear into a flat configuration to enhance printing on an exterior of the upper.

BACKGROUND

Conventional articles of footwear such as athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole assembly. The upper provides a covering for the foot that comfortably receives and securely positions the foot with respect to the sole assembly. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole assembly is secured to a lower portion of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces, the sole assembly may provide traction, control foot motions (e.g., by resisting over pronation), and impart stability, for example. Accordingly, the upper and the sole assembly operate cooperatively to provide a comfortable structure that is suited for a wide variety of activities, such as walking and running. An insole may be located within the upper and adjacent to a plantar (i.e., lower) surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort, and is typically a thin, compressible member.

The sole assembly may incorporate multiple layers. Some footwear includes only a midsole, while others may also include an outsole secured to a bottom surface of the midsole. The midsole, which is conventionally secured to the upper along the length of the upper, is primarily responsible for attenuating ground reaction forces. The midsole may also form the ground-contacting element of footwear. In such embodiments, the midsole may include texturing, such as projections and recesses or grooves, in order to improve traction. The outsole, when present, forms the ground-contacting element and may be fashioned from a durable, wear-resistant material.

The upper may be customized to enhance its aesthetics by printing on its exterior surface. In order to provide a clear image or other design on the exterior surface of the upper, it is helpful to maintain the outer surface of the upper as flat as possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first side of a jig for an article of footwear, shown with a pair of footwear support assemblies.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a second side of the jig of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a jig for an article of footwear.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the jig of FIG., showing engagement of a spring with a lever arm of the jig.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the jig of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an anchoring member of the jig of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a portion of the jig of FIG. 1, showing first and second engaging members

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base plate and secondary plate of the jig of FIG. 1.′

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the jig of FIG. 1, shown with a high top article of footwear secured to a first support assembly of the jig and an oxford article of footwear secured to a second support assembly of the jig.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an article of footwear secured to a support assembly of the jig of FIG. 1 and showing the flat orientation of the lateral side of the upper of the article of footwear.

FIG. 11 is perspective view of an article of footwear showing its orientation when secured on a support assembly of the jig of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rear portion of an article of footwear shown on a support assembly of the jig of FIG. 1.

The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale, should be understood to provide a representation of particular embodiments, and are merely conceptual in nature and illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the jig depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Different embodiments of the jig disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a jig for an article of footwear that enables a side of the upper to be held in a substantially flat condition, allowing an image to be printed on the side of the upper. In certain embodiments, the image is printed on the lateral side of the upper. It would be desirable to provide jig for printing an image on the upper of an article of footwear that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices.

In accordance with a first aspect, a jig for an article of footwear includes a base plate and a footwear support assembly supported by the base plate. The support assembly includes an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction, a toe last assembly extending from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and including a toe last, and a first engaging member pivotally connected at first end thereof to the base plate.

In accordance with another aspect, a jig for an article of footwear includes a base plate defining a first plane and a footwear support assembly supported by the base plate. The support assembly includes an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction. A toe last assembly extends from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and includes a toe last biased outwardly from the base plate. The toe last defines a second plane extending at an angle with respect to the first plane. A first engaging member is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and has a pair of pins at a second end thereof. The first engaging member pivots along the first plane. A second engaging member is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and has a pin at a second end thereof. The second engaging member pivots along the first plane.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a jig for an article of footwear includes a base plate defining a first plane and a pair of footwear support assemblies supported by the base plate. Each support assembly includes an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction and biased outwardly from the base plate. A toe last assembly extends from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and includes a toe last biased outwardly from the base plate, with the toe last defining a second plane extending at an angle with respect to the first plane. A curved arm extends outwardly from the toe last assembly. A first engaging member is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and has a pair of pins and a disk at a second end thereof, with the first engaging member pivoting along the first plane and the disk having a concave surface. A second engaging member is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and has a pin at a second end thereof, with the second engaging member pivoting along the first plane. A blade extends outwardly from a lower edge of the base plate at an acute angle with respect to the first plane. A secondary plate is secured to the base plate and has an end that is beveled.

By providing a jig for an article of footwear, the upper of the footwear can be held in a substantially flat condition, improving the quality of an image printed on the exterior of the upper. These and additional features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments.

A jig 10 for an article of footwear is depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Jig 10 may include a base plate 12 defining a first plane P1, seen in FIG. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, jig 10 includes a pair of footwear support assemblies 14 supported by base plate 12. It is to be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, jig 10 may include a single support assembly 14. In other embodiments, jig may include more than two support assemblies 14. In the illustrated embodiment, base plate 12 is an elongate rectangular plate defining a first plane. Base plate 12 may be formed of metal or any other suitable material.

Footwear support assembly 14 includes a base member 16 and a toe last 18. Base member 16 is secured to base plate 12. Toe last 18 is biased outwardly from base member 16 by a biasing member. Toe last 18, as seen here, may be formed as a generally hemispherical plate-like member. Toe last 18 is configured to engage the toe portion of the interior of an upper of an article of footwear placed on the jig, thereby helping stretch and flatten the upper, as seen and described in greater detail below. Toe last 18 may be formed of a relatively soft, resilient material in order to prevent damage to the interior of the upper of the article of footwear.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of telescoping arms 20 are positioned between and connected to base member 16 and toe last 18. In this embodiment, the biasing member takes the form of springs (not visible) within telescoping arms 20, which serve to bias toe last 18 outwardly away from base member 16.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the biasing member may take the form of a lever arm 22 that acts to bias toe last 18 outwardly away from base member 16. A first end 23 of lever arm 22 is pivotally secured to base plate 12 about a post 24. A spring 25 engages lever arm 22 so as to bias toe last outwardly from base member 16. In the illustrated embodiment, spring 25 is a spiral torsion spring that acts on a pin 26 extending outwardly from lever arm 22. It is to be appreciated that any type of spring may be used to bias lever arm in its intended direction.

Lever arm 22 may be useful in a footwear support assembly 14 in which telescoping arms 20 are of insufficient diameter to have springs positioned therein. For example, such a footwear support assembly 14 may be used for small footwear, where the size of toe last 18 and its telescoping arms 20 is reduced.

As seen more clearly in FIG. 5, toe last 18 defines a second plane P2 that is at an angle a with respect to the first plane defined by base plate 12. By having second plane P2 of toe last 18 at an angle with respect to first plane P1 of base plate 12, the upper of an article of footwear placed on footwear support assembly 14 is twisted so as to help flatten the upper, as seen and described in greater detail below.

Footwear support assembly 14 includes an arm 29 positioned inwardly of toe last 18. In the illustrated embodiment, arm 29 is an elongate plate-like member that extends across a first side of arms 20 proximate toe last 18 and curves around arms 20 to a point where it is spaced from an opposite second side of arms 20. Arm 29 provides support for the upper of an article of footwear placed on footwear support assembly 14, as seen and described in greater detail below.

As best seen in FIG. 6, footwear support assembly 14 includes an anchoring member 30.

Anchoring member 30 extends outwardly away from a first side 31 of base plate 12 in a first direction, perpendicular to first plane P1 of base plate 12. A first end 32 of anchoring member 30 is secured to base plate 12. In certain embodiments, anchoring member 30 is formed of a telescoping arm 38, biased outwardly with a spring (not visible) contained within telescoping arm 38. Anchoring member 30 is received in a heel portion of the upper of an article of footwear mounted on footwear support assembly 14, as seen and described in greater detail below. In certain embodiments, anchoring member 30 may include a cap 34 at its second end 36. Cap 34 may be formed of a relatively soft, resilient material in order to prevent damage to the interior of the upper of the article of footwear.

In certain embodiments, a rib 33 may be provided along a lower edge 35 of base plate 12 on first side 37 of base plate 12. Rib 33 extends downwardly and outwardly away from first side 37 of base plate 12, forming an acute angle 0 with respect to first plane P1 defined by base plate 12. Rib 33 may be a first portion of a sheet of material 39 that is angled with respect to a second portion 41 of sheet 39 that is captured between base plate 12 and a secondary plate 43 that is secured to a second side 45 of base plate 12.

A first engaging member 40 is pivotally secured to base plate 12 on first side 31 of base plate 12. As best seen in FIG. 7, a first end 42 of first engaging member 40 is pivotally secured to base plate 12 proximate where base member 16 is secured to base plate 12. First engaging member 40 is configured to pivot such that it moves along first plane P1 of base plate 12. A disk 44 is positioned at a second end 46 of first engaging member 40. An outer surface of disk 44 may be concave in order to facilitate depression of first engaging member 40 by a user when placing an article of footwear on footwear support assembly 14.

A pair of pins 48 extend outwardly from first engaging member 40 and are diametrically opposite one another. Pins 48 extend outwardly in directions extending perpendicular to first plane P1 of base plate 12. Pins 48 serve to engage the eyelets of an article of footwear when the footwear is placed on footwear support assembly 14. First engaging member 40 is configured such that its second end 46 is biased outwardly. First engaging member 40 may be formed of a telescoping arm with a spring (not visible) positioned with the telescoping arm.

A second engaging member 50 is pivotally connected at a first end 52 thereof to base plate 12. Second engaging member 50 is connected to base plate 12 at a position that is spaced apart from the location where first engaging member 40 is connected to base plate 12. A pin 54 extends outwardly from second engaging member 50 proximate a second end 56 thereof. Pin 54 extends outwardly in a direction extending perpendicular to first plane P1 of base plate 12. Pin 54 is configured to engage an eyelet of an article of footwear when the footwear is placed on footwear support assembly 14. Second engaging member 50 is configured such that its second end 56 is biased inwardly toward first end 52. Second engaging member 50 may be formed of a telescoping arm with a spring (not visible) positioned with the telescoping arm.

As noted above and seen in FIG. 8, secondary plate 43 may be secured to second side 45 of base plate 12. Base plate 12 has a thickness A and secondary plate 43 has a thickness B. In certain embodiments, thickness A and thickness B are the same. In certain embodiments, thickness A and thickness B may be approximately 0.25 inches.

In certain embodiments an end 58 of secondary plate 43 may be beveled to reduce stress on the material of the upper when an article of footwear is mounted on support assembly 14.

Examples of an article of footwear positioned on support assembly 14 are seen in FIGS. 9-11. As seen in FIG. 9, a high top article of footwear 60 is mounted on one support assembly 14 and an oxford, or low cut, article of footwear 62 is mounted on another support assembly 14. As seen best in FIG. 10, the lateral side 64 of the upper 66 of the article of footwear 60 is positioned in a substantially flat condition when it is positioned on support assembly 14.

The heel portion 68 of footwear 60 receives a portion of base plate 12, and toe last 18 (not seen) is received in the toe portion 70 of the interior of footwear 60. Toe last 18, being biased outwardly, stretches toe portion 70 away from heel portion 68, helping ensure that upper 66 remains taut and that lateral side 64 is substantially flat.

Anchoring member 30 pushes outwardly on upper 66 helping align lateral side 64 in a substantially flat condition. Pins 48 of first engaging member 40 are engaged with eyelets 72 of footwear 60. Pins 48 may engage the uppermost eyelets 72. Similarly, pin 54 of second engaging member are engaged with an eyelet 72 of footwear 60. Pin 54 is engaged with an eyelet that is lower along upper 66 than the uppermost eyelets 72.

In the embodiment where an oxford article of footwear is positioned on support assembly 14, a pin 48 of first engaging member 40 may be engaged with a lowermost eyelet 72, while pin 54 of second engaging member 50 may be engaged with an eyelet 72 closer to a top of upper 66. The biasing of first and second engaging members 40, 50 serves to help stretch upper 66, thereby helping maintain lateral side 64 in a substantially flat condition.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, article of footwear 60 is significant twisted when it is mounted on support assembly 14. This twisting helps ensure that lateral side 64 of upper 66 is substantially flat. As can be seen in FIG. 12, rib 33 may extend along a seam 74 formed in heel portion 68 of of footwear 60, helping align footwear 60 on support assembly 14.

Once footwear 60 is properly positioned on support assembly 14 it is positioned in place with respect to a printer, such as an inkjet printer or other suitable printer, and an image or other desired design is applied to the exterior surface of upper 64 in known fashion.

Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A jig for an article of footwear comprising: a base plate; and a footwear support assembly supported by the base plate and comprising: an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction; a toe last assembly extending from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and including a toe last; and a first engaging member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate.
 2. The jig of claim 1, wherein the toe last assembly includes a base member connected to the base plate
 3. The jig of claim 2, wherein the toe last is biased outwardly from the base member.
 4. The jig of claim 3, wherein the toe last is biased outwardly by way of a telescoping member.
 5. The jig of claim 4, wherein the telescoping member includes a pair of telescoping rods with springs contained therein.
 6. The jig of claim 1, further comprising a curved arm extending outwardly from the toe last assembly.
 7. The jig of claim 6, wherein the curved arm is formed from an elongate plate member.
 8. The jig of claim 1, wherein the anchoring member has a movable end portion that is biased outwardly from the base plate.
 9. The jig of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member extends from the base plate in a third direction, that is perpendicular to the second direction.
 10. The jig of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member is pivotally connected to the base plate at a base of the toe last.
 11. The jig of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member has a pair of pins extending outwardly opposite one another proximate a second end thereof.
 12. The jig of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member includes a disk at its second end, an outer surface of the disk being concave.
 13. The jig of claim 1, further comprising a second engaging member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate.
 14. The jig of claim 13, wherein the second engaging member is biased inwardly toward the base plate.
 15. The jig of claim 13, wherein the second engaging member is connected to the base plate at a position that is spaced apart from where the first engaging member is connected to the base plate.
 16. The jig of claim 13, wherein the first engaging member and the second engaging member are each pivotable along a plane defined by the base plate.
 17. The jig of claim 1, wherein the base plate defines a first plane, the first engaging member being pivotable along the first plane, and the toe last defines a second plane, the second plane extending at an acute angle with respect to the first plane.
 18. The jig of claim 1, further comprising an additional footwear support assembly supported by the base plate.
 19. The jig of claim 1, further comprising a blade extending outwardly from a lower edge of the base plate at an acute angle with respect to a plane defined by the base plate.
 20. The jig of claim 1, further comprising a secondary plate secured to the base plate and having an an end that is beveled.
 21. A jig for an article of footwear comprising: a base plate defining a first plane; and a footwear support assembly supported by the base plate and comprising: an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction; a toe last assembly extending from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and including a toe last biased outwardly from the base plate, the toe last defining a second plane extending at an angle with respect to the first plane; a first engaging member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and having a pair of pins at a second end thereof, the first engaging member pivoting along the first plane; and a second engaging member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and having a pin at a second end thereof, the second engaging member pivoting along the first plane.
 22. A jig for an article of footwear comprising: a base plate defining a first plane; and a pair of footwear support assemblies supported by the base plate, each support assembly comprising: an anchoring member extending from the base plate in a first direction and biased outwardly from the base plate; a toe last assembly extending from the base plate in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and including a toe last biased outwardly from the base plate, the toe last defining a second plane extending at an angle with respect to the first plane; a curved arm extending outwardly from the toe last assembly; a first engaging member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and having a pair of pins and a disk at a second end thereof, the first engaging member pivoting along the first plane and the disk having a concave surface; a second engaging member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the base plate and having a pin at a second end thereof, the second engaging member pivoting along the first plane; a blade extending outwardly from a lower edge of the base plate at an acute angle with respect to the first plane; and a secondary plate secured to the base plate and having an end that is beveled. 